SMF

Okay. My shave routine is very routine. 99% of the time I use proraso new formula in the Green Tube. I gave MWF a good-faith effort and logged the feel and shave but who was heartbroken to find that I was allergic. I use a Feather stainless steel Razor and feather blade. Once in awhile I flip over to Arlington with the same blade and razor, but I find Arlington not quite slippery enough.

Here's the deal. I'm happy with my Razr. I'm happy with my blades. My soap? Not so much. I want a new one. The Shaving soap has to be amazing. I would like something akin to Paul's experience on the road to Damascus. I like the idea of an old fashioned hard soap but I'm open to a cream as well. Given that proraso is perfect with lubrication and Arlington is not slippery enough. Can you make any recommendations? I like Italian. I like German. If you could give me an MWF I'm not allergic to I would use it very often.

I suggest that you try Tabac.

Hello Scott! Welcome back to SMF. Wish I could help. In 2007 you joined SMF (before I did) and you're still looking after 10 years. Me too, except currently in a much more low key and relatively passive way. There are a lot of guys who've been through dozens and scores of soaps, some more than a hundred soaps, who are still looking. The one thing that has changed since 2007 is that nowadays there are a lot of people who've been quite successful at making and selling some wonderful shaving soaps and creams. If you're looking for an alternative to MWF, you really should get yourself a puck of Haslinger Schafmilch. Made in Germany. If you still prefer shaving soaps made in the UK, you can skip "the usual" traditional classics and take a look at the newcomers operating out of the UK and making some outstanding shaving soaps. In addition to the UK, there are dozens of USA and Canadian soapmakers, not to mention Italy, France, Spain, etc. who've certainly created some outstanding shaving soaps. You'll probably want to seriously hit the interweb and break out the debit cards. Tell the wife to go shopping and buy herself some nice things, while you're shopping on your laptop and buying new soaps to try. They're definitely out there and it's your mission to find the one you like the best. Best regards, and Good Luck! (P.S.:I could name a list of great internet vendors and soapmakers, but that would be foolish because it's not even possible to list them all. All of them hard working and serious, and I'd hate to leave anyone out.)

Czech & Speake Oxford & Cambridge perhaps?

Antique Hoosier wrote:Czech & Speake Oxford & Cambridge perhaps?

I don't think he meant 'religious' in the sense of poverty! That stuff's expensive, smells dreadful, and if I remember rightly, is actually Valobra base as used to be used by AOS.

I'm not sure if I'm up for a religious experience first thing in the morning.

Squire wrote:I'm not sure if I'm up for a religious experience first thing in the morning.

Squire, I'm with you. Give me some strong black coffee first, for Heaven's sake.

I say give Trumper's creams a try. If they're anything like they used to be they're fantastic for what you want.

Hope that helps.

Chris

EL Alamein wrote:

Squire wrote:I'm not sure if I'm up for a religious experience first thing in the morning.

Squire, I'm with you. Give me some strong black coffee first, for Heaven's sake.

I say give Trumper's creams a try. If they're anything like they used to be they're fantastic for what you want.

Hope that helps.

Chris

Ahhhhhh.... their namesake (cream) "GFT" would be delightful after some morning coffee.

All helpful comments! Thanks all. I'll likely give a couple of these a try and let you know if the religious part came through.

Squire and El Alamein's comments made me want to make a coffee-based shave soap rich in caffeine.